Monday 14th September
It's time to head to new places. We made our goodbyes. It seemed sad to be going after so long and such a wonderful experience.
We decided to travel around 170 miles to make a good in way into our destination in the south of France. Going across the bridge over the Loire, we saw just how low the water was but also couldn’t imagine the amount of water required to flood the campsite we were on to a 3m depth. We did wonder why the toilet blocks and some of the camp places were on stilts. We also made the decision to travel on toll road & major roads to make the journey quicker and easier. We made our first destination around 2.30 at Bruère Allicamps - the traditional geographical centre of France.
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| Stone marking the centre of France |
We took a stroll around the village. It was a small village but with a very good play park and there was work going on to paint a picture on one of the buildings at the site. There wasn’t much else although we found a bar that was open and we think we could have had a dinner there if we had wanted one. It had pictures hanging there that were slightly different from the run of the mill. Turns out to be painted by Godon (Alain or Matisse Godon). There were also posters of exhibitions of his from a few years ago.
When we got back we were trying to keep cool so I cut up one of Mikes T-shirts and soaked a ‘scarf’ in water to wrap around our necks. It was rather bliss.
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| 'Mikelangelo', where are the other turtles? :) |
In the evening we watched a film - the first one this trip.
Tuesday 15th
Traveling again, this time around 80 miles to Riom near the volcanic area in the Auvergne. The landscape is starting to change.
When we arrived at the aire, there were only a few motorhomes there but by the evening every pitch had been filled, one by a Scottish couple who we had a conversation with.
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| The clock tower that we visited is in the distance |
Towards the evening, we headed out to explore the town. We had to climb the hill and stairs to get to the main shopping area. On our way, we stopped at the clock tower and went in. We climbed yet more steps and looked out over the rooftops at the view. It was stunning and you could see for miles.
We then went for a drink - and a sit down. After that, we took a walk along the roads looking at the shops and try find somewhere to eat. One place we fancied said they had finished doing food - it was only 6.30. We returned to the bar that we had the drink in and asked if they were doing food. No, they had stopped too. We returned to Daisy and had to conjure up something.
We stayed outside until it was dark then ventured in - it was only 8.50. It is still hot though.
Wednesday 16th
On the road again, this time to St-Martin-la-Plaine. The weather had changed slightly and it was cloudy. Shame really as the terrain was changing and becoming mountainous. We went higher and higher but the road remained a motorway or dual carriageway. Pine trees also obscured our view, there were so many of them. The main area we travelled through was Des Monts de al Madeleine (see pic of map). We stopped at Fleur for the Intermarche and crossed the Loire going in. The Loire is a long river (1006km - 625m). Moving on, it seems strange seeing wide open fields in the mountains. We skirted St Etienne - a large city with much graffiti, some of which was quite good but it was also across road signs making it difficult to see.
We arrived at the aire at St-Martin-la-Plaine which is directly opposite a zoo. I took myself off for a walk up the hillside that skirts the zoo and was lucky enough to see emu, deer and wolves.
Whilst I was out, Mike was looking at cooking our dinner. When I returned, he said we were going out. Having tried to eat out late before I wasn’t convinced that we would find anywhere and said that we had already bought something to eat. Whilst in the Intermarche I said “we need to be a little more adventurous with our food, how about having this” so we bought it. Mike translated it while I was out. Turned out it was Beef Snout in vinaigrette and is eaten cold. Google also mentioned that it was quite gelatinous.
So we decided not to eat it and find somewhere to eat, which we did. It is so surprising that in a small back street, a restaurant exists. We had a lovely meal there.
It was dark on our way back so we walked down the road, not the shortcut track that we'd taken earlier. On our way back down to the site (yes we had to go up to the restaurant) we heard the animals from the zoo. Wolves howling, lions roaring. It was amazing. Then all of a sudden they stopped. We were so glad we heard them. The thing that is spoiling our trip is our insect bites. Neither of us have been bitten so much before. And they itch something rotten. Our sleep is disturbed most nights. Bite cream only seems to work for so long.
Thursday 17th
Travel again down the toll roads to Soyons in the Rhone-Alps area. On leaving the site, we had to go down and had to take a switch-back road.
We followed the Rhone down for much of the way and saw many vine fields up on the hills.
Once on site, we went for a cycle ride along the Rhone. It was along stony paths and was a very bumpy ride. We did do around 6.5miles though so we had a good ride out.
We saw people using hydra-foils with sails along the river which looked good fun, not that I want to try. Naturally when we got back we stopped for a cold beer as the bar / restaurant is next to the campsite. It used to be the railway station. There is quite a wind so hopefully that will keep the midges at bay.
We decided to have a meal out again as we thought the menu sounded good, however, when we went back there was only a few dishes available. I didn’t fancy any of the meat dishes so plumped for fish and chips. I try not to eat typically English food when abroad but didn’t really have much choice. Well, that fish and chips were the best I have ever eaten! The batter was relatively thin and crispy and the fish, cod, very tasty and not greasy at all. When I told the waiter he was very surprised. I hope he told the chef.
Friday 18th
Another travel day, this time to our 3 night stay site east of Avignon at L’isle-sur-la-Sorgue. The trip down the toll road was busy as it is the main route down to Marseille and had many lorries which our other journeys didn’t seem to have. Not so many unusual sights en route but we did see an old castle on top of a rocky escarpment.
The site we are staying on is La Sorguette which is a large site with full facilities. We had to park in our location sideways as we were too long simply reversing in. Looking around the site many people have had to do the same thing. Just opposite from us, there is a couple from Britain and in the next bay of 4 units there is a further British couple. Seems like many people are heading south. As the site had a laundrette, we took advantage and used the machine. We had too much for one load so I also did a bit of hand washing. We managed to get everything dry using the site washing line and our one. After we hung the washing out we took a bike ride into the town. It was a simple ride and we didn’t really need our batteries. They were heavy carting them around with us. It is a beautifully old town with many water wheels. The town is built along the Sorgue river and its tributaries and canals allowing water wheels to power machinery in days gone past.
They are simply a tourist attraction these days but nonetheless good to see working. There are also many walking only streets, too small for vehicles but you still have to watch out for bikes & electric scooters these days. When we got back, we went in search of a beer at the on site bar/restaurant but it was closed! So we collected all the washing, now beautifully dry, and sat outside with a beer. After our dinner, we decided to go in and batten down the hatches (away from midges) and watched a film.
Saturday 19th
Mike wanted to stay around the site to sort out lockers and the BBQ for our dinner later on so I took myself off to explore the town some more. In the reception, we found a map of the town and the area that the big market will be held in on Sunday (the main reason for coming down here). The map had various walking routes of interest so I decided to do one. I actually incorporated a few into my little sojourn. I also took may photographs of various buildings and squares and of course water wheels. It is a lovely old place to visit and would recommend it. However, I am finding the items the shops are selling on the expensive side - not overly so but too much for an impulse buy.
On my return, we sat outside and ended up talking with one of the British couples who were walking by and saw our registration. On an evening stroll, we saw a van that had fashioned a shelf outside their van and they were letting their potted herbs have their dose of sunshine.
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| Something different |
. Our dinner was pizza cooked on the pizza stone on the BBQ. One of our neighbours (British couple) said it smelt wonderful. They later went out in the evening for their dinner. Maybe it gave them an appetite.
Sunday 20th
Market day. The main reason we came to this part of France. It was very well attended. There were all sorts of stalls from antiques (we saw many various jelly moulds) to clothes, to kitchen ware, to fruit and veg (they all looked delicious), to the inevitable rotisserie chicken. We actually bought some of the potatoes that were also cooked at the bottom of the roasting rack. We had them for dinner and they were delish! It was a lovely experience but very tiring.
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